What was it like working for the Queen? Woman was her dresser for 20 years

And for one woman, who served the Royal Family for 20 years and worked as the Queen’s dresser, it has a particular resonance.

Julie Weldon, now 50, began working for the Royals as a housemaid in May 1997, and got to work at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle during her time.

She quickly progressed, and eventually, around the turn of the millennium became Her Majesty’s dresser.

Julie saw the Queen every day for years, choosing her outfits and putting things in her handbag.

She eventually left in 2017, after 20 years serving the Royal Family and says she has “lots of wonderful memories”.

Julie Weldon spent 20 years working for the Royal Family (Image: Julie Weldon)

Julie said: “I was interviewed by the lady-in-waiting and I got the job and was transferred to Windsor Castle.

“I spoke to her every single day and was her personal dresser.

“I have got lots of wonderful memories and lots of lovely tales. She was the best boss, she was the nicest lady, I’ve not got a bad word to say about the Queen.

“She had a good sense of humour and she always had Radio 2 on with Ken Bruce, and had a very good memory.”

Julie, from St Helens, got to travel overseas in her job and has received four medals for her service; one for the Golden Jubilee; Diamond Jubilee; for long service and the Royal Victoria Medal (RVM), which she received from Prince Charles.

Julie receiving the Royal Victoria Medal to the then Prince Charles

Julie said she has so many anecdotes of her time with the Queen, including the time Her Majesty arranged for her parents to have one of her Corgis.

“He was the best dog ever and everyone in St Helens knew her as the Royal Corgi.

“In 2012 I got my RVM and she (the Queen) said do I want to receive it from her or the Prince of Wales. I said ‘I’m not being funny, I see you every day, I’ll have the Prince of Wales’.

“When it was my turn to go up, he said: ‘Mummy sends her love, she’s sorry she can’t be here today’. It was lovely how he said it, it was very sweet. King Charles is a lovely man, I have met him many times.

“I went to his wedding with Camilla, I met Princess Margaret, and remember William and Harry riding down the corridors on their bikes.”

Juile added that the Royal Train was “always amazing” and that she enjoyed many garden parties and occasions.

“She always made sure ‘are you being fed?’, she was really thoughtful.

“I have had so many messages and comments. I have been ill with Covid and saw the news on Thursday. It just didn’t seem real, it still doesn’t feel real, it’s surreal.”

She added: “I remember one day they were discussing a funeral on the radio, I think it was Margaret Thatcher’s, we were at Balmoral.

“The Queen said: ‘I hope there’s not that much fuss when I die’. I said: ‘I think there would be’ and she said ‘do you think?’.

“Now she would be like, ‘Julie was right, there is a lot of fuss!’